jcuk

Also here they have 3.25'' http://www.heavyhorseenthusiast.co.uk/prices-harness-decoration Scroll down Hope this helps JCUK

Not sure if this will of any use to you. https://www.abbeyengland.com/rein-tip-t369-heart-7614.html https://www.abbeyengland.com/rein-tip-heart-7585.html Hope this helps JCUK

Again maybe of no use to you. https://www.abbeyengland.com/pigskin-lining-7557.html https://www.abbeyengland.com/pigskin-dry-7698.html https://www.metropolitanleather.com/Buy-Vegetable-Tanned-Leather/Saddle-Pigskin-Pitsford Hope this helps JCUK

Think you may know of this company but just in case you don't heres a link. https://packerdirect.com.au I used them when i was working in the middle east good to deal wit, got some bridle leather not as nice as english bridle leather but ok for general repairs. Also got Kangaroo hides really liked them used it to patch some saddles up super tough and hard wearing. Hope this helps JCUK

Its good you have had a saddler check that safe to use. When you say you have stripped the top finish can you say what you did to achieve this. JCUK

Is there reason you don't purchase leather that has been already tanned black. Help this helps JCUK

Have a look at this yes i know its in France but not a million miles away. https://www.vergez-blanchard.fr/boutique_us/fiche_produit.cfm?ref=3_1003D&type=31&code_lg=lg_us&num=2 JCUK

Not sure if this is of any use to because of the cost but you would have a working tool which should last you a life time of work and some. https://www.vergez-blanchard.fr/boutique_us/liste_produits.cfm?type=31&code_lg=lg_us&num=2 Hope this helps JCUK

Have you looked at these knives look very similar i think. https://www.blackmountainsleather.com/collections/tools/products/large-handle-skiving-knife https://www.blackmountainsleather.com/collections/tools/products/skiving-knife Hope this helps JCUK

Yes i agree Leather is natural product as is Linen thread just seems right to me. There is one exception to that rule for me its when i am stitching girth billets to the saddle tree webbing which will be in most cases, will be a made man product so its more abrasive on Linen thread so that is the only time i will use Tiger thread, you can use Linen thread for this and have done in the past i just double up 5/18 Linen thread I can't have bonded nylon at all horrible stuff. Hope this helps JCUK

Hello You could do a lot worse than this, if you can get them at a good price maybe worth thinking about. Only reason i am not going to bid is the fact i have must of them anyway, but was and still interested. Don't think they will stay that price long. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saddlers-leatherworkers-vintage-handtools/153917948100?hash=item23d63980c4:g:UhsAAOSwDMpervFp Hope this helps JCUK

Hi i use the kind of punch and have had mine 25 years +, never had any problems with them. I agree just buy the sizes you use the most also i use a lead block to punch into for my heavier work just make sure you give your hands a good wash after you have finished punching your work or use rubber gloves if you can get some these days. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SADDLERS-LEATHER-WORKERS-PROFESSIONAL-ROUND-HOLE-PUNCHES-MADE-IN-ENGLAND/232938611103?hash=item363c39219f:m:m9gOq-tyskmGndlFx5tvXgA&var=532460418178 Also these seem nice and the price does not seem to bad can't say how good they are having never used them but if i needed some extra sizes i may try these out myself. https://www.abbeyengland.com/abbey-round-punch-483.html This maybe a good punching block its about the same size as my lead block. https://hwebber.co.uk/shop/c-s-osborne-leather-working-tools/leather-punches/nylon-cutting-block-fits-w1-w3/ Hope this helps JCUK

Even the finest Persian carpets will have flaw in them, they believe only God is perfect maybe the same thinking there. JCUK

Very nice work JCUK

Had a look too didn't see them either but Abbey do bespoke but it will cost. JCUK

You are maybe right but i always ere on the side of caution when making and repairing saddlery items especially something as vital as stirrup leathers. JCUK

Be careful if you use this method it may damage the integrity of the buckles and weaken them. Hope this helps JCUK

Hi over here we have a tool called a Martingale Groover does a similar thing as these i use it for my rolled work to recess the stitches lovely old tool (H Brindley) think it was made around 1917 once stitched we use a burnisher or bone to hide the stitches.Here is a link to a video showing the process only she uses her blade from her clicker knife with a Martingale Groover it cuts out the possibilities of cutting threw the leather. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2q6fRqGf5E If the one you are looking at has no blade think you could fashion one from one of the snap off craft knives or a old hacksaw blade. Another link to Bruce Johnsons site same tool but he gives advice on its uses. https://brucejohnsonleather.com/leather-tools-sale/stitch-groovers-channelers/ Here is a Martingale Groover https://www.abbeyengland.com/abbey-martingle-groover-15.html Hope this helps JCUK

Some of the colour schemes are bit garish for my liking but why don't you make a small dog collar first and see how that turns out you are not wasting as much leather as you would if you started with a belt first you might surprise yourself. Hope this helps JCUK

Have look at this site how they use coloured edge stain on their belts there is another one that i have seen that do the same but can't seem to find them at the moment. https://www.thebeltmakers.com

I like the contrast of black edge stain on lighter tanned leather, and the leather will always darken over time. Many moons ago my other half asked me if i could make a red leather bridle for her, it was the first time i used Metropolitan Leather i was living in the middle east so did the the deal by fax (remember them) and phone they asked me what shade of red would i like it, i was drinking a Budweiser beer at the time so that what i told them Budweiser red - we came back to the UK for a holiday and picked it up looked really good when i made the bridle i stained the edges black looked really good its still around now about 25 years later. So it has got me thinking during the lock down maybe make a black bridle but stain the edges red will get the red stain and maybe some more colours to play around from Metropolitan - don't think it will sell as a bit OTT for some but just do it to to see how it looks. Not doing much work during this hard time so it will give me something to do also may get a new thickness gauge from them. From Abbey i need to get some core spun poly thread to use on a great machine i brought from a member here. As you say every little helps. Stay safe JCUK

I have to say there is only one thing i can see wrong with it is not called a soccer ball, its called a football, but seriously really nice work. JCUK

Yes just worry how fragile some of companies maybe after Sedgwicks had to be saved and their leather is a world renowned. I mainly use Abbey and Metropolitan leather. JCUK

Our suppliers may need help from us during this challenging time, don't know about you but i am not doing much leather work at the moment, so i don't need any new supplies but i am going to make a small order to couple of mine - just so they have some turn over, things i know i will use when this is over. They may have rent to pay, staff to pay and feed their families - so if their business fails and goes under during these times, once we get through this hopefully all in one piece they won't be there because once they are gone they are gone, here in the UK have very few places to get supplies so lets try and keep them here for when things can return to some kind of normality. Cheers JCUK

If you are still in doubt what a pricking iron is please read this as Tugadude has already suggested. Hope this helps JCUK p.s. As for what surface to use for punching as i use pricking irons which are not designed to be punched all the way through the leather sometimes it can't be helped with some lighter leather, i do not use any surface only my work bench, as it is just a good tap with a mallet to mark your work.